Our respective journeys to Dusseldorf were fairly uneventful (I think Chadders got the better flight option of Lufthansa from Geordie-land - free drinks and everything on board!!) and although it took about half an hour to find each in the terminal we eventually had an emotional reunion centred around "Where can we get a beer?!".
We decided to take the Skytrain from the airport and change at the main airport train station. My Acrophobia remained under control on the sky train, even though it reminded me of the monorail at Blackpool - not a pleasant thought!
The next leg of our journey on the train to near the hotel was a complete disaster - the least said about that the better - and Chadders and I have vowed never to discuss it again.
So, some time later our taxi pulled up outside our abode for the next few days......
I had the foresight to book a double, business-class room which included a free mini-bar (which I've pretty much demolished so far - hope they refill it today) and the obligatory slippers and bathrobe.
Chadders on the other hand has booked Cell Block H - I am expecting him to be 'loved' in his shower at some point by some hairy German who just wants a friend but that remains to be seen.....
We immediately threw our stuff into our room/cell and ventured out onto the main road in search of an establishment that served fine, German beer. Within two minutes we came across 'Schumacher's Bar' where we drank several very quaffable beers served by a phenomenally grumpy German waiter - we're not sure whether it was our inability to construct any form of sensible German vocabulary or just the fact that he was always like that.
Nonetheless he continued to serve us and even brought us food - which we guessed at the contents prior to ordering but it turned out very edible - German sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes (or even 'potatoes!!!' said in a very high pitched Keith Lemon-style voice!) - what's not to like about that??!
At around midnight we were rather aggressively told to leave and we wandered out to find more beer. We stumbled across another bar across the road called 'Aroma' which we both immediately thought was a gay bar after we'd crossed the threshold but we sat down and had a beer anyway - what metrosexuals we both are!! We were going to stay for another but we'd both forgotten how disgusting smoking inside a bar was and had to leave before we choked to death!!
So, back to the hotel for a cheeky beer and then to bed....
Not a bad day one - no doubt things will liven up when his Royal Highness gets here.....especially knowing that he is the shy, retiring type!
